Halloween is around the corner and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Halloween is consistently one of the top three days for pedestrian injuries and fatalities.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) estimates that children are four times more likely to be struck by a motor vehicle on Halloween than any other day of the year.
On Halloween trick-or-treaters are excited and often forget about safety. As a result, motorists and parents must be even more alert.
AAA offers these tips and advice
Parents
Ensure an adult or older, responsible youth is available to supervise children under age 12.
Plan and discuss the route your trick-or-treaters will follow.
Instruct children to travel only in familiar areas and along established routes.
Teach children to stop only at well-lit houses and to never to enter a stranger’s home or garage.
Establish a time for children to return home.
Tell children not to eat any treats until they get home.
Review trick-or-treating safety precautions, including pedestrian and traffic safety rules.
Make sure Halloween costumes are flame-retardant and visible with retro-reflective material.
Trick-or-Treaters
Be bright at night – wear retro-reflective tape on costumes and treat buckets to improve visibility to motorists and others.
Wear disguises that don’t obstruct vision, and avoid facemasks. Instead, use nontoxic face paint. Also, watch the length of billowy costumes to help avoid tripping.
Ensure any props are flexible and blunt-tipped to avoid injury from tripping or horseplay.
Carry a flashlight containing fresh batteries, and place it facedown in the treat bucket to free up one hand. Never shine it into the eyes of oncoming drivers.
Stay on sidewalks and avoid walking in streets if possible.
If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic.
Look both ways and listen for traffic before crossing the street.
Cross streets only at the corner, and never cross between parked vehicles or mid-block.
Trick-or-treat in a group if someone older cannot go with you.
Tell your parents where you are going.